---

Multiple Homes Open For Viewing This Weekend

In case you haven't heard, the Penn Estates Community Open House is happening this weekend. Bring your friends along for this trip to the Poconos because there are upwards of 15 homes available to tour during this day-long event...there's something for everybody!

Don't Miss 161 Overlook Drive in The Highlands

The Highlands, the fancy-schmancy name for Section A of Penn Estates, is an excellent location. The first section on the left after you enter the gate at the main Hallet Road entrance, The Highlands is conveniently located to the main amenity complex which includes the pools, the Community Center and the Country Kitchen. This section also abuts Highland Lake, the most popular of the community's three lakes and home to our beautiful beachfront amenities.

The property at 161 Overlook Drive is very close to this lake and overlooks a lovely stream, which provides a peaceful soundtrack to outdoor gatherings on the 30 foot deck.

One of the other special things about this home is that it offers one level living...and then some! Three of the bedrooms, including the privately situated master suite, are on the main level with the kitchen and other public living spaces - the perfect ranch style floor plan! But then there is the bonus of two more bedrooms on the second floor creating another 'wing' for extended family, hobby areas or home office space. All of this artfully arranged space accommodates every need: privacy where necessary & enough rooms to allow for unique lifestyles. The sparkling white kitchen isn't the only room that welcomes you...there is lots of light thru-out! As a matter of fact, the entire home and property are lovingly maintained and warm & inviting.  Featuring many extras found in more expensive properties, this home is a great value for those who need a lot of space on a small budget.

Big Upgrades & Low Price

• Cozy stone fireplace in the living room
• Efficient pellet stove supplements the electric heat
• Storage basement for seasonal items and yard tools
• Sun room off the living room adds another gathering place
• Complete appliance package is included
• Recent neutral paint throughout
• Master suite with walk-in closet and private bathroom
• And much much more!

Visit the community open house on April 18, 2008 from 11am to 4pm, or contact me by email [email protected] or phone 570.421.8950 ext 394 for a private showing. I am also happy to address any questions you may have about real estate in Penn Estates or other amenity communities in the Pocono Mountains.

---

By popular demand, Penn Estates Property Owners' Association is hosting its community open house event just in time for the Spring home buying season. There will many homes available to see, hosted by various real estate agents from around the Poconos.

When: Saturday, April 18, 2009 11am - 4pm

This is the perfect opportunity for people thinking about buying real estate in the Pocono Mountain area this year to get an overview of the market and view all of the different styles and price ranges that the Penn Estates community offers. Also, you will be able to check out the neighborhood and see why so many of us residents LOVE where we live. (Yes, I live in Penn Estates!)

First time home buyers looking to take advantage of this year's $8,000 tax credit incentive will find that there are many affordable options available for them here.

Even if you are not in the real estate market at this time, I encourage you to come out and see what our community is all about. Part of the reason the community hosts these events is to reach out to our neighbors outside our gates and offer them a glimpse of our neighborhood that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to have.

Penn Estates is a gated, amenity community located in Stroud and Pocono Townships of the Monroe County Poconos, offering an exceptional quality of life to its residents. With a proud corps of Volunteers whose mission it is to create a true neighborhood environment complete with all of the support, activities and interactions that is so rare in today's communities, Penn Estates is able to offer so much to the potential homeowner that just cannot be found anywhere else. Come and give us a look!!

Where: Penn Estates Community

PLEASE NOTE: Many GPS systems guide travelers to the Rear Gate at Cranberry Road and Penn Estates Drive, but entrance through that gate is restricted to gate card holders. If you must use a GPS to find us, please use your system's map feature and select the Hallet Road entrance area on the map so that your trip is planned effectively.

(Bring your driver's license and car registration to gain access to the community.)

From I-80: Take Exit 309 Marshalls Creek. At 1st traffic light, turn left onto Route 447 North make a right by Wendy’s and continue to Route 191 South. Left onto Route 191 South 1/10 mile and turn right onto Hallet Road for 1.5 miles. The entrance to Penn Estates is on the left.

From Tannersville: Cherry Lane Road (behind Tannersville Inn) to a right on BOG ROAD to end. Make Right onto Hallet Road and continue to gates of Penn Estates.

From Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazelton: Follow your closest route to 80 East and follow above directions.

Are you sitting down?

It's no secret sales are down. But the bad news for Penn Estates homeowners looking to sell their property anytime soon is that your chances of doing so are at least 55% less this year than they were last year. In analyzing the data I noticed a marked drop in number of sales (yeah, I know - duh) for the same time period last year, as well as a huge increase in the number of sales that are bank-owned, or foreclosure, sales. By my calculations, sales of NON-foreclosure homes, owned by real people like you reading this now, are down a whopping 55%. Ouchie for us Penn Estates peeps (yes, as a homeowner here, I feel the pain too!)

A comparison of sales data from January 1 - November 18 for the years 2007 and 2008:

Furthermore, in looking at historical data that I have been gathering since the year 2000, our average sale price and price per square foot has dropped to levels close to those enjoyed in 2004 and 2005.

There are currently 92 homes in Penn Estates listed for sale, which is a 21 months' supply based on this year's absorption rate. 6 homes are under contract, awaiting settlement.

So what does this mean?

As I wrote back in August, don't sell if you don't have to. If you do have to, listen to your trusted real estate agent about pricing and preparing your home for sale. You will only compromise your eventual selling price by over-pricing and hoping for a miracle. Additionally, you will contribute to the already-unfavorable market conditions we are experiencing by placing your home on the market un-aggressively.

Let it never be said that I don't tell it like it is.

If you are looking to buy, prices & selection are great

You and your Buyer's Agent will have no problem identifying good buys in Penn Estates right now. I suggest buying in the next three months in order to maximize your purchasing power and make the most of ripe market conditions. I anticipate changing conditions in the Spring as government economic stimulus efforts take hold and pent-up demand overcomes market nervousness.

Smart investors know you have to be bold when others are afraid.

This information is provided as an overview of market conditions for those curious about the state of the real estate market in Penn Estates, a gated amenity community in the heart of the Poconos. The nature of real estate markets is ever-changing and reliant on many factors. For this reason I ask that if you are looking for specific market data related to your Penn Estates home, or if you need reliable data to determine if buying a home in Penn Estates makes sense for you, you contact me to discuss it or to make arrangements for a complimentary market analysis. Every home is different and value can only be determined on a case by case basis.

There's always something going on in the Poconos

But fall is especially spectacular because the beauty of the fall foliage creates a stunning backdrop for festivals, hiking and all other sorts of outdoor activities. Check out the Pocono Fall Foliage Report here.

Whether you are looking for a low- or no-cost outing for the family, are in to theater and the arts, or want to explore and learn about history and nature, we got it goin' on!!

But when all else fails, just take a walk or a drive!

Some highlights of things going on this fall in Monroe, Carbon & Pike Counties:

10/11 Stroudsburg Autumn Festival
10/11 Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Weekend
10/18 Shawnee Mountain Timer & Balloon Festival
10/18 Bowfire at Sherman Theater
10/18 Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Weekend
10/19 "PEEC" of Autumn with John Serrao
10/25 PEEC-a-Boo Halloween Trail
10/25 Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Weekend
10/31 Rocky Horror Picture Show at Sherman Theater

Activities all month long at Jim Thorpe include haunted train display, ghost walk and more.

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau has an ever-updated calendar of things to do here in the beautiful mountains of northeastern Pennsylania.

Things to Do at Penn Estates

(Private Community - Members & Guests Only)

View Community Calendar of Events Here
Highlights for Fall:
10/11 Oktoberfest
10/18 Breast Cancer Walk-a-thon
10/24 & 25 Haunted House
11/15 Comedian Dave Reilly

Things to Do at Arrowhead Lakes

(Private Community - Members & Guests Only)

View Arrowhead Activity Calendar Here
Highlights for Fall:
10/11 Fall Fest/Flea Market
10/19 Sunday Breakfast Buffet
10/25 Haunted Clubhouse
10/31 Tailgate Trick or Treat

Commute by Bus to/from the Poconos and NY / NJ?

Starting Monday, October 6, 2008, the Pocono Pony of Monroe County Transit Authority will be shuttling residents from Penn Estates to the commuter bus stops that serve Martz Trailways and other Pocono buses which travel to New Jersey and New York every day. This is a great new service which we hope will enhance the quality of life of those commuting from Penn Estates to jobs in NY and NJ.

Public Transportation is Convenient & Economical

For only $2.50 each way (or less if you buy books of 20 one-way trips), residents can get a ride on weekdays from the front or back gates of the community to the Martz stations at 447 or Delaware Water Gap. We recommend riders walk or get dropped off (kiss n ride!) at either gate as parking is not available at this time. This is a two month trial of this service so please spread the word!

MCTA Pocono Pony Bus Schedule for Penn Estates

For more information, call the MCTA Pocono Pony at 570.839.6282.

EDIT 1/2/09: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF RIDERSHIP. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SEEING THIS RESUME, PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST TO THE PENN ESTATES MANAGEMENT OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IF WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO RIDE, PERHAPS WE CAN RESUME AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.